Here's my take on the "Jena 6." At first I was thinking, hey, what's the big deal? While charging them with attempted second degree murder is excessive (although not without precedent), it's not like any of them should be let loose. C'mon, it was a 6-on-1 beatdown, and the one defendant to go to trial had prior violent offenses on his record...certainly no angel. Moreover, while putting nooses in the "White Tree" is reprehensible, it's not *really* a crime, other than leading one to the conclusion that the tortfeasors morally deserved an ass-kicking.
However, upon learning that his 6 member all-white (but then, with a rural parish with 15% minority population, that's not shocking, or trial court error) petit jury had as members "the mother of one of the prosecution witnesses, and a good friend of [the victim's] mother," I had to throw the penalty flag.
Bad, bad district court judge. No! Try again. The court of appeal was correct to overturn the conviction because he shouldn't have been tried as an adult (due to procedural trickery on the part of the DA), and because of the aforesaid jury composition. It's a no brainer that the jury was unfairly composed. No amount of argument could justify either of those two members.
If you really want to examine inequity in sentencing, look at the difference in the federal guidelines for crack vs. powder cocaine.
VS.
And there's my expert opinion.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Obligatory Topical Post
Friday, September 14, 2007
Ctrl-V
Short post, again.
The wiring project on the house is nearing completion. I think I've got one or two full days left and I'm done with what I'm doing. Hooray! There's still a good bit of work left before walls can go up, but we're getting there slowly but surely.
Here's a fascinating blog post about political corruption. Kinda makes you want to run for Congress.
I'm sick again, so the Middle Tennessee game is going to be a bit rough. Hopefully it will be a blowout early and we can get back on the road to NO early.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
I know, I know.
Bad blogger. Anyway, football season has already begun taking a toll on my productivity on this thing. I do promise to address more stupid questions or assumptions. I tend to get rather aggitated when thinking about them, so I need plenty of time between to cool down and not punch something/someone.
Going to the LSU game tomorrow, and I am quite excited. It's not great that the game doesn't start until 8:15, but what can you do? We're in the same seats we've been in for the last couple years, so I guess we'll get to see some familiar faces. Tailgating at the usual spot for the band's passing!
Also, we're a small part of an article in the usual spot this week.